Top 15 Pokemon Video Games, Ranked

As a lifelong Pokémon fan, it’s amazing to see how much the series has grown! From the very first games in Kanto to the sprawling open world of Paldea, Pokémon has always found ways to innovate while staying true to what makes it special – catching, battling, and trading. This list looks back at all the main games and remakes, focusing on the ones that really changed things up. We’re talking about new ways to battle, way more Pokémon to collect, and completely fresh regions to explore. These are the games that truly defined how we play as trainers, generation after generation.

15. Pokémon Let’s Go, Pikachu and Let’s Go, Eevee

These new Switch games let you experience the Kanto region in a fresh way, bringing the catching mechanics from the mobile game to the console. You’ll focus more on catching wild Pokémon than battling them, though trainer battles still use the classic turn-based system. You’ll team up with a Pikachu or Eevee who learns special moves and can be dressed in different outfits. Plus, a friend can join in locally to help you explore and battle!

14. Pokémon Yellow

This updated game builds on the classic adventure, mirroring the style of the anime with Pikachu as your first Pokémon. Pikachu will accompany you on your journey, reacting to what you do. You’ll also frequently encounter Jessie and James from Team Rocket as rivals. The game improves the initial gameplay experience and lets you collect a wider variety of Pokémon through events and trading, regardless of the game version you have.

13. Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen

These updated versions of the original game bring the Kanto region to the Game Boy Advance with improved graphics and gameplay features from the third generation of Pokémon games. Players can explore the new Sevii Islands after completing the main story, offering fresh quests and the chance to catch Pokémon not originally available. A wireless adapter lets players trade and battle locally without needing connecting cables, and moves, abilities, and items have been updated to match the standards of that generation.

12. Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire

The games take place in the Hoenn region and introduce abilities and natures, which impact how Pokémon perform in battles and training. Double battles are now common, changing how players build teams and choose moves. Players can also enjoy new activities like creating secret bases, growing berries, and participating in Pokémon Contests, alongside the usual path through the region. The Hoenn Pokédex highlights the new Pokémon that debuted in this generation.

11. Pokémon Sword and Shield

In the Galar region, Pokémon can temporarily become much larger and stronger with Dynamax and Gigantamax transformations, changing how they battle. The Wild Area is a vast, open space where Pokémon roam freely, the weather changes, and you can participate in challenging raid battles. The Expansion Pass adds even more to explore with the Isle of Armor and the Crown Tundra, including new stories and the return of familiar Pokémon. Max Raid Battles let you team up with others to defeat powerful Pokémon.

10. Pokémon Sun and Moon

The games take place in the Alola region, where trainers complete Island Challenges instead of visiting gyms. These challenges end with battles against powerful Totem Pokémon. Trainers can also use special Z-Moves – incredibly strong attacks that can only be used once per battle and require specific crystals and moves. Many familiar Pokémon appear in new “Alolan” forms, with different types and strengths. Finally, instead of Hidden Machines, players ride around on Pokémon to get around.

9. Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon

These updated games continue the story of Alola with fresh characters and extra content to enjoy after completing the main game. The Ultra Warp Ride lets you travel to different dimensions where you can find and battle legendary Pokémon. You’ll also encounter new Ultra Beasts and experience more challenging Totem battles. The Battle Agency is a new facility that offers competitive battles using rented Pokémon.

8. Pokémon X and Y

With Kalos, the Pokémon series moved to fully 3D battles and worlds on the Nintendo 3DS. This generation introduced the Fairy type, which changed how many Pokémon types matched up against each other. Mega Evolution allowed Pokémon to temporarily transform into more powerful forms with improved stats and new abilities during battles. Players could also customize their character’s appearance, and a new Exp Share system made building and training a team easier.

7. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

The Paldea region is an open world where you can tackle three different storylines in any order you choose. A special ability called the Terastal phenomenon changes a Pokémon’s type during battles, making moves more powerful. You can also team up with others in Tera Raid Battles to defeat powerful, crystallized Pokémon. After the game launches, updates will add even more to explore, including new areas, Pokémon, and ways to compete.

6. Pokémon Legends Arceus

The Hisui region offers a fresh Pokémon experience, mixing real-time action with traditional turn-based battles in expansive, connected areas. Players complete the Pokédex by catching, studying, and battling Pokémon. New move styles let you prioritize speed or power, changing the flow of combat. Plus, crafting, rideable Pokémon, and challenging noble Pokémon encounters dramatically change how you explore and interact with the world.

5. Pokémon Emerald

This updated version of the Hoenn region offers a richer story and more things to do. The Battle Frontier is a brand-new postgame area with multiple facilities, each offering unique challenges and rewards. We’ve also changed up the Gym Leaders you’ll face and when you can encounter legendary Pokémon. Finally, we’ve adjusted the available Pokémon and moves to give players more options and strategy when building their teams.

4. Pokémon Platinum

The Sinnoh region is back, and this time the gameplay moves at a quicker pace with significant new features added to the original games. Players can explore the Distortion World, a distinctive area central to the story about the legendary Pokémon. The game also offers a more extensive Battle Frontier and a refreshed regional Pokédex, giving players more to do after completing the main story. Navigating the game world and dungeons is also easier thanks to improvements to the user interface and how encounters work.

3. Pokémon Black and White

The Unova region features a complete Pokédex filled with new Pokémon before the wider National Pokédex becomes available. The game world changes with the seasons, affecting which Pokémon you encounter and even altering how certain locations look. New battle formats, like Triple Battles and Rotation Battles, add strategic depth by changing how Pokémon are positioned and which moves are most effective. The story also includes areas and cities unique to each game version, encouraging players to trade and explore thoroughly.

2. Pokémon Black 2 and White 2

These games immediately follow the previous story, taking place two years later in the Unova region with new locations and a fully updated Pokédex. A major feature is the Pokémon World Tournament, where trainers can battle Gym Leaders and Champions from all over the Pokémon world. Players can also customize the difficulty using Challenge Mode and Easy Mode, and even share these settings with friends. Beyond the main adventure, there are also new systems like Join Avenue and PokéStar Studios, which offer management and mini-game experiences.

1. Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

These updated games let you explore both the Johto and Kanto regions, allowing you to collect badges in both. Your Pokémon partners can now follow you around on the map, making the world feel more alive and strengthening your bond with them. Plus, the Pokéwalker accessory connects to the game, rewarding you with encounters and items based on your real-world steps. There’s also plenty to do with the return of locations like the Safari Zone and Battle Frontier, alongside more options for teaching your Pokémon new moves.

Tell us your favorite Pokémon games in the comments! We’d love to hear which one you spent the most time playing.

2025-10-28 22:53